Most of the participants that attended the Arakan Rohingya Union 2nd (ARU) convention were residents of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA). According to ARU own estimates 61 organizations took part in the conference in Jeddah from July 7-8, but their statement included 74 organizations, some of which were listed twice.
Many organizations reported not being able to attend because they received their invitation letters only days before the convention was to start. This didn’t allow long enough to process their visas.
The acting ARU Director-General Dr. Wakar Uddin – the former director general expired at the time of the convention – allegedly sent out the invitation letters late so many who might oppose him couldn’t come. This would ensure that he would get the coveted position of director general.
Nur Hasim, chairperson of the Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organization (CBRO) said they didn’t receive their invitation until July 4.
“With the limited time” it wasn’t possible to attend, the chairperson said. According to Hasim, Uddin informed the Canadian Rohingya leader by telephone that “he was doing his best” and told him “to appoint a representative of CBRO from KSA”
“In fact, he really didn't want me to attend at the Congress. I knew that he was playing a game with me when I started communicating with him. In the end, I sent an e-mail to him with a name and contact number of a person who would represent CBRO, but he didn't contact them. No one from CBRO attended the ARU Congress.”
Many Rohingya organizations from Europe and Bangladesh that couldn’t go were also asked to appoint Saudi Arabian delegates to attend in their place.
Uddin was trying to establish a new mandate during the recent ARU convention, according to Harn Yawnghwe, executive director, Euro-Burma office. The organization is now completely different but is using the same name.
“The mandate of the EBO is to promote democracy in Burma by empowering the voiceless to have a voice. That was why in May of 2011 the EBO came together with the OIC to convene a meeting of Rohingya organizations. The idea was to enable the Rohingya people to work together for their rights in a peaceful manner. Twenty-five organizations attended the convention and formed the Arakan Rohingya Union."
The Rohingya News Agency (RNA) wasn’t allowed to cover the conference even though they requested in advance.
Rohingya media should be invited said RNA’s Ata Noor. ARU would “benefit from all participating in this conference” and “without the exclusion of any party” this includes “political, social and media”.
“We urgently need to unite all (our) efforts for cooperation and harmony. But this exclusion will inevitably lead to more separation among Rohingyas that we don’t want.”
During the conference Dr. Wakar Uddin was elected as director general for a 6 year term. Dr. Tahir Mohamed Siraj became the chairperson.
